Waiting to hear back is so sad to do!

llg, PhD, RN · May 9, 2013

It can take a couple of weeks sometimes, particularly if you were interviewed by more than one person and the interviewers need to find time to sit down and talk about it. (Even if it's just the Nurse Manager and the HR person, it can easily take several days for them to hook up.)

They also might want to check your references before offering you a job, or maybe a background check. And if you are not their first choice, but they would hire you if their first choice turned down the offer ... they might leave you hanging while their first choice considers their offer.

Did you ask them, "When can I expect to hear back from you?" That's usually a good question to ask in an interview. It can ease you mind a bit while you wait if you know you are not going to hear back from them for a week or two ... or three.

Good luck to you!

RNReadyManc · May 9, 2013

She said she would get back to me by the end of the week. @llg

NicuGal, MSN, RN · May 10, 2013

Well, there is you answer :) A week is 7 days, not 3....although it feels like forever. Where I work, we interview until the job posting expires, usually a month, so if you are among the first it can be a forever wait. Be patient. And even if we like you a lot, someone with better experience may come along on that last day, so we will hire that person over you. It is giving everyone who applied and interviewed a fair chance, that is why the job isn't offered that day. Also, we have to check references and background checks.

RNReadyManc · May 11, 2013

Thank you both!

RNReadyManc · May 11, 2013

Well, there is you answer :) A week is 7 days, not 3....although it feels like forever. Where I work, we interview until the job posting expires, usually a month, so if you are among the first it can be a forever wait. Be patient. And even if we like you a lot, someone with better experience may come along on that last day, so we will hire that person over you. It is giving everyone who applied and interviewed a fair chance, that is why the job isn't offered that day. Also, we have to check references and background checks.

Are you a nursing manager? I get that it takes time for administrative purposes, its hard on the applicant side. Im still in the race so I hope I get it.

NicuGal, MSN, RN · May 12, 2013

I was in management and now I am part of our hiring and retention group for my unit :)

Kimberley.RN · May 13, 2013

Hi Em, sorry it's taking so long for you to hear back. Have you gotten a response yet?

RNReadyManc · May 15, 2013

Yes I didn't get the job:( Back to taking certification classes. I'm also going to apply for other RN jobs and non RN positions in specific units.

CountyRat · May 15, 2013

You are going to hear "no" more times than "yes" in your job search. That is no reflection on you; it is just the way it is. Take those classes and keep applying. You clearly have your head in the right place!

By the way, the fact that an answer from the interviewers was delayed can be a good thing. When I was involved in hiring, the first thing that we did was eliminate the "no way!" candidates, continuing to consider those that we thought might be a good choice until our final discussion. The "winner" in the job competition is usually the one who perseveres.

CrazierThanYou · May 15, 2013

I'm sorry you didn't get the job! I did want to comment though because I've always heard its illegal for an interviewer to ask you about your personal life. Maybe that varies by state?

I'm in my first nursing job. I interviewed for the job on a Tuesday at the beginning of July and was told they would make a decision by the end of the week. I didn't hear back from them with news that I was hired until September! I had pretty much given up on the job.

So, you really can't go by when the interviewer says you'll hear.

GM2RN · May 15, 2013

Yeah, the part about personal questions bothered me too. Can you elaborate on that?